ARM

Although in existence for decades, artificial intelligence and machine learning have only recently hit mainstream, becoming the hottest thing in the tech industry. But for all the capabilities and ambitions of AI and ML, they are practically limited by the computing power that runs those algorithms and data processing tasks. In other words, advancement in AI requires not just more powerful but also more efficient computing processors. Which is why ARM Holdings is announcing the next evolution of its ARM chip design which it calls DynamIQ.

No, Apple isn’t working on ARM-powered MacBooks that will take on Chromebooks and 2-in-1 convertibles in the lower market segments. The report coming from Bloomberg, instead, highlights the addition of an ARM processor working alongside an Intel one. This ARM chip, however, will only kick in when the MacBook goes into low-power mode, thereby prolonging the laptop’s battery life. And while Apple may not have any short-term plans to ditch Intel’s chips, it still doesn’t bode well for Intel’s image in the power efficiency department.

The gulf between Apple and Microsoft's strategies for desktop and mobile continues to spread. On the one hand, Apple has iOS on its own ARM-based mobile chips, and macOS on Intel x86 processors. Taking the complete opposite approach, Microsoft is forging ahead with the same Windows 10 across both ecosystems. While there's no single "right answer" there are plenty of reasons why Microsoft's announcement with Qualcomm that full Windows 10 is coming to Snapdragon should get you excited.

The big problem with small and less costly computers that run Qualcomm chips under the hood is that they were unable to run Windows, which is almost a requirement in the business world. That will change with Microsoft announcing a partnership with Qualcomm that will see Windows 10 come to ARM-powered devices. This means that Qualcomm Snapdragon PCs will be able to run x86 Win32 and universal Windows apps such as Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and Windows video games.

Windows 10’s Continuum for Phones feature promises us a rather colorful future of computing, but it falls short in one critical aspect. It can’t run the desktop apps that majority of users expect and still use on their desktops. That, however, might change by late 2017. A combination of speculation and sources would have us believe that Microsoft might be rolling out its x86 emulation for ARM64 systems. In a nutshell, that means that Windows 10 Mobile phones and tablet might gain the ability to run “regular” win32 desktop apps by then.

This week the folks at SoftBank have announced plans to acquire ARM Holdings for a cool $31.4-billion USD. An agreement between the companies has been reached which suggests that an all cash acquisition will be made. This acquisition will have SoftBank acquiring ARM, making ARM a "wholly-owned subsidiary of SoftBank." According to the release on this acquisition, "The consideration values the entire existing issued and to be issued share capital of ARM at approximately £24.3 billion."

Despite a noted slowdown in shipment and sales, smartphones remain the fastest growing device market today and outnumber PCs even. However, smartphones have ceased to be mere communication devices and have even started venturing into uncharted and indirectly related territory, like virtual reality. In order to address the nascent but growing "synthetic" reality market, ARM Holdings has announced new chips, specifically the new 10 nm FinFET Cortex-A73 CPU and the Mali-G71 GPU. While they naturally benefit mobile devices in general, they are being poised to be well-suited to address the processing needs of virtual and augmented reality applications.

It seems that smartphones and especially tablets are no longer the darlings of the silicon industry. Chip makers, like Intel, Qualcomm, and even MediaTek are now vying for more embedded products, particularly wearables and the so-called Internet of Things. To sweeten the pot even more, at least on the ARM side of things, ARM Holdings has released the design for a new Cortex-A32. Like the Cortex-A35 it announced last November, this "ultra-efficient" chip is designed for embedded and Iot devices. The difference? It's even more efficient than that and is only 32-bit.

NXP Semiconductors has rolled out the QorIQ LS1012A processor promising enterprise-class performance and security for consumer and networking applications in a very small package size. The chip has a 64-bit ARM v8 processor with network packet acceleration and QorIQ trust architecture security capability and line-rate networking performance at 1W of power. The chip packs all its features into a tiny 9.6mm x 9.6mm package size.

Intel's server business, which is currently its strongest business, might soon be shaken up. And not directly by a rival chip maker. Instead, it will be Google's expected endorsement next week that could spell trouble for Intel. According to insider sources, Google, who is considered to be the world's biggest buyer of server processors, will be publicly singing of Qualcomm's server chips at an investor event next week. Qualcomm, who already poses a threat to Intel because of its dominance in the mobile market, could soon be eating a huge chunk of Intel's server pie as well.

Has the 4K trend really reached the mobile industry? Well, yes and no, depending on what you mean. It might still be a while before something like the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium becomes commonplace, but dealing with 4K content, especially videos, is going to become more regular. That is why ARM is announcing early a new mobile graphics chip, the Mali-DP650, that is designed from the get go to handle 4K content, not only on a device's screen itself but streaming to an external display as well.

AMD is best known for its rivalry with Intel in processors, almost all of which are based on the x86 and x64 CPU architecture. But as early as 2012, the chip maker publicly revealed how it was playing around with ARM chips to use in its line of processors for servers. The time for playing is apparently over, as AMD has started shipping the A1100, the first of its ARM-based Opteron A series designed for data centers. And its purpose is no secret either: to undermine Intel's reign in the server market.